Bikers display skills at ABATE rodeo

By Katie Collins Brush News-Tribune Staff Writer

Posted:
08/28/2012 01:02:00 PM MDT

Updated:
08/28/2012 01:42:23 PM MDT

The tennis ball or cone race event was a crowd favorite during the ABATE Biker Rodeo at the Prairie Biker Rally in Brush where riders such as Travis Danner and his passenger Jazmine Danner of Yuma, fast became fan favorites for their daring attempts. The cone race was won, in the end, by Bob Chapman and his passenger, niece Madison Chapman, though her brother Joe 'Dirt' Chapman certainly gave her a run for her money.
(Katie Collins/News-Tribune)

They rumbled into Brush as part of a crowd of bikers who all rode in to enjoy the fifth annual Prairie Biker Rally over the August 24-26 weekend, gathering at the Morgan County Fairgrounds on Saturday afternoon to test their mettle.Skills involving both riders and passengers were put to the test during the Biker Rodeo, organized by the rough-and-tumble crew of the ABATE District 1 who venture to rallies all over Northeastern Colorado providing thrills and chills to fans and riders alike during a number of organized events, all while providing the action on a volunteer basis. During the Brush Biker Rally a total of 20 bikes signed up for events that included a slow race, plank race, balloon toss, weenie bite, tennis ball race and water race, much to the amusement of crowds gathered in the grandstands.

The always hilarious Weenie Bite event held at the ABATE Biker Rodeo in Brush heralded an array of humorous metaphors, but also challenged the skills of bike drivers and passengers alike, as seen with 2012 champions Bob Chapman and passenger Jerry Walker of Brush, whose infamous skills won her a donated pair of undies and a t-shirt courtesy of the TNA Weenie booth wenches.
(Katie Collins/News-Tribune)

The Brush Area Chamber of Commerce honored each top competitor and their passenger in many cases, with a distinguished trophy to acknowledge the skill and experience involved. “It's something not every bike rider can do, so make sure to cheer them on. We have some riders here from the region that are the cream-of-the-crop when it comes to handling their motorcycles,” said ABATE District 1 Legislative Officer, temporary State Legislative Officer and announcer Kirk Fry.Cream-of-the-crop was exactly what spectators got as many events went into overtime ride-offs with riders such as ABATE District B rider Duane Roller of Firestone and Hillrose's own Bob ‘T-Bone' Chapman, who managed to take first place in every event with the exception of the plank ride, where Roller managed to oust Chapman for top-honors after not one, not two, but three ride-offs that eventually went to a timed status.

Advertisement

In the tennis ball race, crowd favorite rider-passenger duo of Travis and Jazmine Danner of Yuma put on a show, especially as the very young and local ABATE favorite Jazmine had recently endured gallbladder surgery, but displayed an amazing strength of aptitude and character during her effortless participation.The tennis ball race, involving the driver's passenger having to place a tennis ball atop cones set up in a line, also went into sudden death weaving run-offs with sole driver Bob Chapman reigning supreme with two different riders who both vied for the top title.

The ABATE Biker Rodeo waterballoon toss proved much harder than it looked as contestants tried to toss one, two and
then three water balloons over the bar while riding through and catching the balloons on the other side. Pictured above are
runners-up Shayla Lehr of Wiggins in back of driver Travis Danner of Yuma, though first place honors went to Bob Chapman and Donnie Kalb. (by KATIE COLLINS, Brush News-Tribune Writer/Photographer.)

His top two passengers included Joe ‘Dirt' Chapman versus sister Madison Chapman who both rode on the back of Uncle Bob Chapman's bike.In the end, after two ride-offs, it was Madison who came out on top with the win after placing her tennis balls atop an array of shorter and shorter cones in just 17.9 seconds.T-Bone and Joe managed to become the winning duo during the water race. The highly-anticipated weenie bite may have brought out a plethora of humorous metaphors from all volunteers and announcers involved, but in the end it was T-Bone Chapman, along with passenger Jerry Walker of Brush, who won first place over reigning champions and crowd favorites Jack and Adriane Chapman, as well as over top contenders Greg and Patty Foiles, after a thrilling bite-off.

The 'expert' heat in the ABATE Biker Rodeo slow race featured Jack Chapman of Hillrose, Lawrence Bassett and Duane Roller of Firestone, though first place honors went to Bob 'T-Bone' Chapman of Brush. (by KATIE COLLINS, Brush News-Tribune Writer/Photographer.)

T-Bone Chapman and passenger/ABATE District 1 Sergeant at Arms Donnie Kalb of Yuma won the water balloon toss after a throw-off that had volunteers raise the bar and add three balloons to the mix that had to be tossed over the bar and caught for the win. Driver Travis Danner and passenger Shayla Lehr, 14, of Wiggins were in contention. The volunteers and organizers of ABATE District 1 come from all walks of life and are gearing up to hold another thrilling round of Biker Rodeo action on Saturday, September 8 in front of Jambalaya's in Merino.

Passengers of all ages tested their skills during the Weenie Bite race at the Prairie Biker Rally in Brush, including Brush's own rough-rider Gary Chapman and passenger Cheyenne Lehr of Wiggins. (by KATIE COLLINS, Brush News-Tribune Writer/Photographer.)

ABATE Balloon toss winners 'raised the bar', so to speak during four rounds of playoff action where champions Bob Chapman of Hillrose and Donnie Kalb of Yuma earned the top title. (by KATIE COLLINS, Brush News-Tribune Writer/Photographer.)

The cone/tennis ball race was won, in the end, by Bob Chapman and his passenger, niece Madison Chapman, though her brother Joe 'Dirt' Chapman certainly gave her a
run for her money. (by KATIE COLLINS, Brush News-Tribune Writer/Photographer.)